purlJam

# The Rounded Taper Garter Scarf

**Description**
A sophisticated, intermediate-level neckerchief worked in garter stitch. Unlike a standard rectangular scarf, this piece features rounded, tapered ends designed to reduce bulk at the knot when tied. At 76 cm (30 inches) long, it is designed to be worn as a cravat or neck warmer, tucked into a coat collar. The edges are worked with a slipped stitch selvedge for a polished, professional finish.

**Difficulty Level**
Intermediate

**Sizes**
One Size: Approx. 15 cm (6 inches) wide at the centre and 76 cm (30 inches) long.

**Materials**
*   **Yarn:** Approx. 130–150 metres of Worsted weight yarn (UK: Aran weight).
*   **Needles:** 5.0 mm (UK 6 / US 8) straight or circular needles.
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, tape measure, scissors.

**Tension (Gauge)**
18 stitches and 32 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) in Garter Stitch (knit every row).
*Check your tension carefully. If you have too many stitches per 10 cm, use larger needles.*

**Terminology & Abbreviations (UK English)**
*   **k:** Knit
*   **p:** Purl
*   **st(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **sl1wyif:** Slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front (brings yarn to front, slip stitch, take yarn to back to knit next stitch). This creates the neat edge.
*   **kfb:** Knit into the front and back of the same stitch (1 stitch increased).
*   **k2tog:** Knit 2 stitches together (1 stitch decreased).
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **WS:** Wrong Side

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## **INSTRUCTIONS**

### **Section 1: The First Rounded Taper**
*Mathematical Note: We begin with a blunt cast-on rather than a single point to simulate a rounded curve.*

**Cast on** 5 sts using the long-tail cast on method.

**Row 1 (WS):** Sl1wyif, k4. `[5 sts]`
**Row 2 (RS - Increase):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. `[Start 5 sts + 2 inc = 7 sts]`
**Row 3:** Sl1wyif, k to end. `[7 sts]`
**Row 4 (Increase):** Sl1wyif, k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k2. `[Start 7 sts + 2 inc = 9 sts]`
**Row 5:** Sl1wyif, k to end. `[9 sts]`

*Note: We now slow the rate of increase to elongate the taper.*

**Row 6 (Increase):** Sl1wyif, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. `[Start 9 sts + 2 inc = 11 sts]`
**Row 7:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 8:** Sl1wyif, k to end. `[Work even row]`
**Row 9:** Sl1wyif, k to end. `[Work even row]`

*Repeat Rows 6–9 (increasing every 4th row) 3 more times:*
*   **After Rep 1:** 13 sts
*   **After Rep 2:** 15 sts
*   **After Rep 3:** 17 sts

*Now we increase every RS row to widen to the full width.*

**Row 18 (Increase):** Sl1wyif, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. `[Start 17 sts + 2 inc = 19 sts]`
**Row 19:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 20 (Increase):** Sl1wyif, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. `[Start 19 sts + 2 inc = 21 sts]`
**Row 21:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 22 (Increase):** Sl1wyif, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. `[Start 21 sts + 2 inc = 23 sts]`
**Row 23:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 24 (Increase):** Sl1wyif, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. `[Start 23 sts + 2 inc = 25 sts]`
**Row 25:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 26 (Increase):** Sl1wyif, k1, kfb, k to last 3 sts, kfb, k2. `[Start 25 sts + 2 inc = 27 sts]`
**Row 27:** Sl1wyif, k to end.

*Stitch Count Verification: You should now have 27 stitches. The width should measure approx. 15 cm.*

---

### **Section 2: The Main Body**

Continue working straight in garter stitch with the selvedge edge:

**Row 1:** Sl1wyif, k to end.

Repeat this row until the entire piece measures **68 cm (approx. 27 inches)** from the cast-on edge. This leaves about 8 cm for the final taper.

---

### **Section 3: The Second Rounded Taper**
*We will now decrease symmetrically to mirror the start.*

**Row 1 (RS - Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 27 sts - 2 dec = 25 sts]`
**Row 2 (WS):** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 3 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 25 sts - 2 dec = 23 sts]`
**Row 4:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 5 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 23 sts - 2 dec = 21 sts]`
**Row 6:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 7 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 21 sts - 2 dec = 19 sts]`
**Row 8:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 9 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 19 sts - 2 dec = 17 sts]`
**Row 10:** Sl1wyif, k to end.

*Switch to decreasing every 4th row:*

**Row 11:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 12:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 13 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 17 sts - 2 dec = 15 sts]`
**Row 14-16:** Sl1wyif, k to end (3 plain rows).
**Row 17 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 15 sts - 2 dec = 13 sts]`
**Row 18-20:** Sl1wyif, k to end (3 plain rows).
**Row 21 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 13 sts - 2 dec = 11 sts]`
**Row 22-24:** Sl1wyif, k to end (3 plain rows).

*Accelerate decreases for the rounded tip:*

**Row 25 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 11 sts - 2 dec = 9 sts]`
**Row 26:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 27 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 9 sts - 2 dec = 7 sts]`
**Row 28:** Sl1wyif, k to end.
**Row 29 (Decrease):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k2. `[Start 7 sts - 2 dec = 5 sts]`
**Row 30:** Sl1wyif, k to end.

**Cast Off:** Cast off the remaining 5 stitches knitwise.

### **Finishing**
1.  Cut yarn leaving a 15 cm tail.
2.  Weave in all ends using the tapestry needle.
3.  **Blocking:** Soak the scarf in lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Lay flat on a towel and shape it to the final dimensions (15 cm x 76 cm), smoothing out the curved edges to ensure they look rounded, not pointed. Allow to dry completely.